Thanks for the tip. I now have some idea about dealing with this.

On Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 7:20 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> The upper bearing rarely fails. The looseness is usually due to the
> plastic or corrugated metal spacer sleeve between the shaft and bearing
> inner race somehow magically disappearing. I have seen the plastic ones
> disintegrate.  Most likely at some ignition switch failure or other reason
> the remove the housing the sleeve disappears and is not noticed as missing
> if the bearing is clamped tight enough by the steering wheel. Over time
> there will be enough wear that the shaft will have axial play again. Pull
> the steering wheel and the lever switches. If the shaft can move in the
> bearing something is missing.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Dan N
> Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 2:56 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Loose steering wheel at top off steering column.
>
> Maybe this will help...
>
> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4065493
>
> On Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 11:48 AM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Got some play here. Suspect the bearing is at the top of the cast
> > aluminum ignition switch housing. Is that bearing replaceable? Must a
> > whole new casting with bearing be installed? How difficult is it to
> > remove the casting -? Do I need a puller to get it off?
> >
> > Thanks for any insights on this.
> >
>